Tennessee Titans, Jake Locker come from behind to beat Chargers

If a rookie could choose a way to start their career, catching a game-winning touchdown pass might be towards the top of the list. In a come-from-behind win against the San Diego Chargers, rookie wideout Justin Hunter caught a 34-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to record not only his first touchdown in the NFL, but his first reception.

Trailing by four points with no timeouts remaining, Jake Locker took the Tennessee Titans 94 yards on ten plays to record just the second fourth quarter or overtime comeback of his career.

Though Tennessee entered the game with a 1-1 record and looked solid through the first two weeks of the season, this was by far the most well put together game of the

Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers

season for the Titans. Chris Johnson has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game but racked up 90 yards on 19 carries while Jake Locker recorded a rushing touchdown of his own. Through the air, Locker put up 299 yards on the San Diego defense connecting with veteran receiver Nate Washington for 131 of these yards.

Relying solely on the ground game for the first two games of the season, head coach, Mike Munchak realized that the key to breaking down the Charger defense was in the passing game. Locker dropped back 37 times, which is far more than he was asked to do in Weeks 1 and 2 while completing 62% of his passes on the day.

In the NFL, an impressive offensive performance almost always outshines an impressive defensive performance. Because of the stat line that Locker put up this week, the Tennessee defense has received minimal media attention. Though Rivers completed 20 of 24 pass attempts, he was held to only one touchdown which came on the first drive of the game and a mere 184 yards passing. Running backs Ryan Matthews and Danny Woodhead combined for 89 yards on 21 touches.

The Tennessee defense is currently ranked 10th in the NFL in points per game and total points allowed, allowing only 56 points through three games.

This was the first win for Tennessee over San Diego in nine years bringing the Titans to a 2-1 record headed into a Week 4 matchup with the New York Jets.

Featured Writer

Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, I follow the NHL and other hockey leagues. I follow the Philadelphia Flyers as well as the St. Louis Blues. I go to American University in Washington DC. I major in International Studies and Russian Language, and I also play Division 3 Club ice hockey. Writing about current NHL topics since 2015.
You can find Jared on Twitter @Wainer78